Review #370: 'Never Take Sweets from a Stranger' (1960)

Long before the likes of the Daily Mail newspaper incensed the British parental population, and indelibly creating an irrational fear, and the idea that there are paedophiles on every street corner, this subject was rarely tackled. Previously, Fritz Lang's excellent M (1931) gave Peter Lorre's child murderer a sinister screen presence, but in terms of directly commenting upon this sexual perversion, it wasn't until Cyril Frankel directed this little known gem of the Hammer studios. With none of the scaremongering tactics that would probably infect a film of this subject these days, this project - whilst observing a credible story of a young girl confronting a local "lover" of children - it's main purpose seems to be to highlight the power of money and social position.

The Carter family, new to a small insular town in Canada, are told by their daughter Jean (Janina Faye) of the events of her afternoon, which involved visiting an old man, Clarence Olderberry (Felix Aylmer), who gave her and her friend, Lucile, some sweets (referred to in the film in the American terms of candy - which also lead to the change in the title for the US release). Jean also advises that Mr Olderberry got the two girls to take off their clothes. Against all the advise from the townspeople, the Carters decide that this needs to be heard in a court of law. Unfortunately for the Carter family, Mr Olderberry is the head of the most powerful family in the town. They soon discover that the transgressions of the old man are well known within the town, and due to his social standing, the concept is forgotten - brushed under the carpet so to speak.

Beautifully shot by Hammer regular Freddie Francis, the film is absolutely stunning to look at. The tensions forming within the insular town - the gossip, which essentially accuses the "outsiders" of deliberately stirring the gentle balance of the community - is palpable. This is subtle, and sometimes sinister storytelling, which highlights the corruption within communities built upon commerce and familial business - as well as an indictment of the small-town small-mindedness. Never Take Sweets from a Stranger could be one of the finest examples of the Hammer studios output, demonstrating that they were not all about the traditional Gothic settings. A true and tragically forgotten piece of British cinema.


Directed by: Cyril Frankel
Starring: Gwen Watford, Patrick Allen, Felix Aylmer
Country: UK

Rating: ****

Marc Ivamy